July 5, 2005
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 6:30 P.M. in the Sharon Town Offices with Chair David I. Grasfield and Selectmen William A. Heitin and Walter Joe Roach, and Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz.
The meeting was called to order at 6:47 P.M.
Executive Session
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session to discuss matters of real property acquisition, collective bargaining, real property negotiations, grievance update, pending litigation, Police Chief Employment Agreement, and at the conclusion thereof, to reconvene in Open Session.
The Board entered into Executive Session at 6:45 P.M.
The Board reconvened in Regular Session at 7:50 P.M.
Approve Minutes
Per request of Selectman Roach, the Minutes of June 14 and June 21 were held to allow time for him to review the revisions made by Chair Grasfield and Selectman Heitin.
Notes from the Chair
Chair Grasfield announced a public forum to be held at the Board’s meeting of July 19 re Rattlesnake Hill at the Sharon High School Library. He also announced the first lakeside concert tomorrow night, and thanked the Friends of the Fourth for the fantastic fireworks display.
Warrant Article - Gordon Gladstone
Mr. Gordon was present to discuss the Selectmen’s sponsorship of a warrant article to require that committee members be residents of the Town. Mr. Gordon stated that he believed that non-residents should not be able to expend taxpayers’ money. Additional discussion included:
issue came up within the Standing Building Committee with request to have town employee serve as voting member;
Mr. Gordon prefers he remain as consultant or advisor;
SBC members have resigned when they have moved out of town;
Selectman Roach thinks there should be exceptions for certain Town Employees;
Mansfield has resident requirement;
Selectman Heitin suggests survey of other communities;
possible ethic issues with town employees serving on committees; and,
will continue discussion at next meeting.
Interview - Veterans Agent/Fourth of July Fund-raising
Paul Bergeron interviewed for reappointment as the Veterans Agent. He included a request for residents to check with their employers for matching contributions to the Fourth of July Celebration and made an offer to assist with any required paper work. Additionally, he discussed the nonavailability of mechanical rides at the celebration and the possibility of more “old block party” events and games to raise funds. It was discussed that the Town has not provided any funds for the Fourth of July celebration since the inception of Prop. 2 ½.
Mr. Bergeron outlined the services and federal/state benefits provided to Veterans and their widows. He stated that there has been an increase in the number of people seeking assistance and money for retraining.
Interview for Constable
The Board interviewed Len Segal for reappointment as Constable. Mr. Segal discussed the duties of a Constable under Massachusetts General Laws.
Interview for Commission on Disabilities
The Board interviewed Geila Aaronson for reappointment to the Commission on Disabilities. Ms. Geila has served for one year in this capacity and she discussed recent activities of the Commission. She also discussed scholarships and gifts to the community provided through funds made available from the collection of fines for parking in handicap spaces.
Interview for Community Preservation Act
The Board interviewed Diane Langley for a position on the Community Preservation Act Committee. Ms. Langley has worked for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and more recently with the Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources. Ms. Langley is a practicing attorney.
Award Contract for Planning Consultant - re Wilber School Reuse
Mr. Puritz discussed attending three interviews from three different firms for Planning Consultant at the Wilber School Redevelopment Committee meeting. The Committee recommends the engagement of Larry Koff & Associates of Brookline, MA, in the amount of $9,999.
Selectman Heitin discussed the scope of work and plans for an RFP to send out to various developers/contractors for some type of development at this site that may include some housing, commercial, professional and municipal use. He further reported that Chair Jim Goldsmith has indicated that they do not think they will be ready to make a presentation at the November Town Meeting.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to award the contract to Larry Koff & Associates, Brookline, MA, in the amount of $9,999.00 as voted by the appointed Wilber School Redevelopment Committee.
In answer to the question by Chair Grasfield, Mr. Puritz stated that Town Counsel will be drafting the contract for execution by the Board. Chair Grasfield suggested that the members of the Wilber Redevelopment Committee be invited to meet before the Board and perhaps to have another public forum at the end of the summer.
Mr. Puritz stated that there will be another RFP issued to engage a consultant for procurement purposes. He and Selectman Roach briefly discussed the field testing done at this site, stating that it looked, “very good.” Chair Grasfield urged the Board to schedule an update of the activities of the Wilber Redevelopment Committee on the agenda.
Action Items
Chair Grasfield reviewed the list of future agenda items and suggested:
review of preliminary fall Town Meeting warrant articles;
update of recycling per newspaper article - ask Eric Hooper;
invite Chuck Goodman and members of FINCOM at the next meeting to discuss its request for participation in Collective Bargaining in Open Session (Heitin suggests Executive Session);
Community Center Update
Mr. Puritz updated the Board re interviews for respondents of the RFP for construction design and the vote by the Standing Building Committee to award a contract to BH+A, the firm that did the feasibility analysis. It is expected that an article for construction funding will be ready for the Fall Town meeting.
Comprehensive Plan for Wireless Communication Facilities Award
The Board reviewed the Memo as prepared by Mr. Puritz and dated July 1, 2005. He recommended that the Board award a contract to the low bidder for the Purchase of Service Description for Development of Comprehensive Plan for Wireless Communication Facilities to SideBand Systems.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to award the contract for Comprehensive Plan for Wireless Communication Facilities to Sideband Systems, Beverly, MA, the low bidder, in the amount of $8,000.
Review of Selectmen Policies
Selectman Heitin requested that Board members review and highlight those sections of the policies that they would like to discuss and put into a summary format. He stated that he had not reviewed the policies himself. Chair Grasfield stated that he has asked for this two years ago and that he had, at that time, listed certain sections. Copies of Chair Grasfield’s notes will be distributed to the other Board members.
Avalon Bay
Chair Grasfield discussed his opinion that the public hearing on Avalon Bay was not closed and is on-going for public input. Selectman Heitin disagreed, stating that the Board voted to close the hearing, but suggested that the Board could make a decision to have another hearing. It was decided that the video of the last meeting would be reviewed.
Correspondence
Chair Grasfield noted Memo from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, dated June 22, 2005, re Preparing for an Influenza Pandemic. He requested that copies be provided to the Board of Health and the Local Emergency Planning Counsel.
Chair Grasfield noted letter from the Office for Commonwealth Development re Commonwealth Capital to promote comprehensive planning with grant and loan programs. Mr. Puritz stated he was in the process of reviewing the programs and deadlines.
Mr. Puritz reviewed the Revenue Forecast Comparisons as prepared by the Treasurer on June 30, 2005 showing a $86,199 difference above the amount used for Town Meeting appropriation. Chair Grasfield noted that this represents an increase of $340,000 over FY’05. Mr. Puritz announced that the School Committee will be returning $304,000 from their FY’05 budget that will be used for Free Cash.
Board of Health - Collaborative Discussions
Chair Grasfield noted Correspondence from the Board of Health, dated June 28, 2005 with concerns expressed about an RFP (for Resource Protection & Development Management) being drafted. They have requested to meet with the Board. He suggested that an appointment be set up for a future meeting and all interested committees/boards be invited to discuss the subject.
Fire Department - Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Fundraiser
Chair Grasfield discussed a Letter from the International Association of Fire Fighters with information about a “Fill the Boot” Voluntary Road Toll Collection on Labor Day weekend, September 3 - 4, 2005 in front of the Fire Station.
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to allow the Fire Fighters Association to set up a toll collection in front of the Fire Station for its annual MDA fundraiser on Labor Day weekend on September 3 - 4, 2005.
Town Clerk - Reserve Fund Transfer
Chair Grasfield noted Memo from Marlene Chused, dated June 28, 2005, with information that she will not be needing a reserve fund transfer.
Naming of Park - Historical Commission
Chair Grasfield noted correspondence from the Historical Commission, dated June 27, 2005 informing the Board that it would sponsor a Warrant Article for the Fall Town Meeting to name the park area on Cedar Street after Doris Annis. This had previously been sponsored by the Board for the May Town Meeting, and the Historical Commission had requested additional information at that time before it could endorse the article.
North/South Main Street Project
Selectman Roach discussed “unacceptable road conditions,” and problems with the North/South Main Street Project. A Meeting will be set up to meet with representatives from P.A. Landers with Selectman Roach and Mr. Puritz.
Meeting re Inclusionary Zoning
Selectman Grasfield noted Memo from Peter O’Cain re Public Hearing for proposed Inclusionary Zoning By-Law on August 10, 2005.
Drinking Water Supply Protection Grant
Selectman Grasfield noted correspondence from the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs with announcement of the Fiscal Year 2006 grant round for Drinking Water Supply Protection Program. He requested copies be sent to Eric Hooper, Superintendent of Public Works and the Water Management Advisory Committee for their comments and suggestions. He noted the filing deadline of Wednesday, September 28.
Reimbursement for School Assistance
Selectman Heitin stated he will be meeting with State representatives on School Reimbursements and will report back.
Adjourn Meeting
VOTED: (Heitin/Roach) Voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
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